Extension
It Starts With Us
Commercial Production
Competitive Agriculture
Elizabeth Coots, Ryan Farley, Faye Kuosman, Adam Probst
Commercial Horticulture
Grain Crops
Beef
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
In 2012, the National Agriculture Statistics Service has estimated that cash receipts for Woodford County were almost $247 million less than in 2007. Coupled with this alarming 78% reduction in cash receipts, there are now 22% fewer farmers whose primary occupation is farming. Crops, livestock, and horticulture enterprises are all very important to the Woodford County agriculture economy and programs designed to improve productivity and profitability of these enterprises is essential. Educational and community development programs that not only address production practices, but marketing and risk management tools for farms is needed.
An increase in farm revenue and input efficiency. Financial stability of farming operations.
Diversified operations and sound risk management practices will allow producers to remain profitable by making informed decisions from research based knowledge.
Informed decisions by farmers will allow them to stay current on new technologies, production and risk management practices, and research data.
Long-Term Outcome: Increase in farm revenue and principal operators whose primary occupation is farming.
Indicator: Agriculture Statistics
Method: Observation
Timeline: Annually
Intermediate Outcome: Diversified operations and sound risk management practices will allow producers to remain profitable by making informed decisions from research based knowledge.
Indicator: Statement/Observation
Method: Personal Interviews
Timeline: Annually
Initial Outcome: Informed decisions by farmers will allow them to stay current on new technologies, production and risk management practices, and research data.
Indicator: Attendance records
Method: Observation
Timeline: Monthly
Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families
Project or Activity: Field Days
Content or Curriculum: Test plot observation, pasture walks, current agriculture topics
Inputs: Farmer cooperators, Agent/Program Assistant's time, Ag Resource Building, local business sponsorships, specialist's time, program support funds
Date: Annually
Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families
Project or Activity: Educational Programs
Content or Curriculum: Livestock, Equine,Crop Production, and Risk Management Meetings
Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant's time, Ag Resource Building, local business sponsorships, Specialist's time, program support funds, Woodford Co. Beef Cattle Association, Farm Bureau
Date: Annually
Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families
Project or Activity: Farmer's Market, Field Visits
Content or Curriculum: Commercial Horticulture and Marketing
Inputs: Phase I Cost-share programs, farmer cooperators, Agent/Program Assistant's time, Woodford Co. Commercial Kitchen
Date: Annually
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Animal Science curriculum
Inputs: Certified Volunteers, Country Ham project barn, agent & assistant
Date: Monthly meeting & activities September - August
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Youth Expo
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Clinic & Country Ham speech presentation
Inputs: Expo Planning Committee, Sponsorship
Date: July
Author: T. Adam Probst
Major Program: Forages
In Woodford County, 73% of all farmland is established in hay and forage crops. As such, weeds can often impact not only forage yields, but quality as well. The Woodford County Extension Service partnered with the Woodford County Beef Cattle Association and Extension Weed Scientists that had established weed control plots at the C. Oran Little Research Center located in Versailles to conduct a county-wide field day looking at new technologies in weed control in those forage crops. &n
Author: Faye Kuosman
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Woodford County, Kentucky faces challenges in retaining its rural land use, family farms and agricultural heritage due to rising development pressure and an insufficient number of beginning farmers able to take on new and established agricultural enterprises in the county. Extension agents in Woodford County and others in the region receive regular inquiries from individuals interested in starting farming operations in the county. However, most of these individuals are ill-prepared to be farmers
Author: T. Adam Probst
Major Program: Equine
The largest share of farm gate receipts in Woodford County belongs to the equine industry. With the latest equine survey (2012) indicating Woodford County has over $1 billion in equine and related assets, it is a very significant industry within the community. Beginning in 2018, one particular equine operation was having significant issues and problems with foaling. The Woodford County Extension Service was able to work closely with this operation in order to identify symptoms
